Who IS JR Stone?

I hate that question.  I bet if you were to interview as many authors as you could (me included), you would find that one of those authors absolutely HATES interviews.  And, if you haven't figured it out by now, I am that author.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to get the word out about my latest novel.  I do.  I'm just not sure that I have enough charisma to tempt the potential reader into reading my book.  Every author feels like they have written the best novel in the market and I'm no different.  I want to read feedback from readers and see it reviewed in the newspapers and magazines.  The only problem is that in order to do that, the author has to put him or herself "out there" along with their book for literary consumption.

Believe me, it's not a marketing scheme to claim the personality of being a recluse.  I am what I am.  In fact, I had a reporter from the Beaumont Enterprise approach me about an interview for the paper.  I had to level with her; I don't do face to face interviews.  I've been a writer for alot of years so it's not the fact that I'm a newbie.  I can't make myself do them anymore.  I prefer to let my writing do the talking for me.  That's why when I found authonomy.com (Harper Collins's U.K. sister site) I was so pleased to find fellow authors praising my work.  Writers are basically supportive of each other, but I was even surprised at the glowing reviews and references.

"...The scars you can't see are the hardest to heal." A book well worth reading from beginning to end. How many people can carry an unspoken burden for 23 years? Nick is a very sympathetic MC, with the brooding personality that suits his looks. I know some such . . . quite a few. Is all of this fiction? You manage to portray your characters in such a real way, I have to wonder. Very talented writer with the ability to sustain interest in the reader. Happy to have backed it and best with it."  

The written word is powerful.  Much more so than an author telling you that fact.  So, Beaumont Enterprise, if you are still interested...allow me to stay in the shadows while you expose my words to your readers.

JRS

Glory Days on Gulfway Drive

My apologies for my extended absence from my blog.  I fell prey to the John Lennon adage, "Life happens while you're planning it."  I wonder if he realized his wisdom while he was alive? 

One thing I have noticed in my absence is that I discovered a group page on Facebook that has reunited the youth of the mid 70's in my neck of the woods.  Yes, there were teenagers galore that drove up and down Gulfway Drive in Port Arthur relentlessly in search of girls, guys, friends and any remnants of excitement they could discover.

I was one of those teenagers who "rode the drag" with my brother or with my friends searching for our next girlfriend.  At first, I wasn't impressed with the monotony of the endless back and forth cruising.  But, then again, we tuned into channel 5 on the CB radio.  Yes, the CB in those days was our mode of communication.  Think of CB's as the old "internet."

As I read the posts, I relived some of my glory days as I was catapulted back into 1976.  All of the old haunts were reminisced.  Lists of roamer of this road are listed to let others know who has left this world.  CB handles were displayed along side of their owners, revealing the person behind the persona.

I tell you, I've had the best time with this page.  Speaking of pages,  why not like mine?  Here's the link:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-JR-Stone/143787462351082.  In the meantime, I think I'll drink a Bud and listen to Boston's "More than a Feeling". 

Sigh, the good ole days.

Growing up in the Golden Triangle

Greetings all, JR is busy tweaking his novel and working on promotion options (shhh, not supposed to tell you that). Anywho, he emailed me last evening and asked that I post something for you to read on the blog. Along with that email was an attachment, so without further adieu:

Everyone has memories of growing up in the town where they spent the majority of their youth. I have mostly bittersweet memories and I'm not sure if that is the case with everyone, but when you're an odd duck, it seems to be the norm. I wasn't most popular in school, I wasn't a "brain" or even a nerd. I was just somewhere in there amongst the crowd.

I did have a small group of like minded odd ducks that were friends of mine. That made all the difference in the world. I've heard others talk about growing up and the memories they hold and each of them are unique and resemble the type of town or city of their upbringing. To give you an idea of "My Golden Triangle" here are some one worded or phrase memories that I have:

~~~~

Pecan trees

Van Buren Elementary

Groves Jr High (formerly Woodlawn Jr High)

PN-G

Groves Golf Course

Leo & Willies

Drakes Drive-In

Drydens

Parkdale Mall

Lubys

Bruce's Supermarket

Refineries

Short Stop Convenience Store

West Groves Circle

Lamar University

Groves Kindergarten

Groves, Texas

More later regarding JR's novel, "The Long Road from Perdition"

Welcome to Author JR Stone's Blog

You were thinking that JR would be writing his own blog?  Nah, that would be left to a freelancer such as myself.  It's not that he's beneath the idea of writing his own blog, it's just that...well, he's a recluse and doesn't find that much about himself to be interesting.  I, on the other hand am a freelance writer and can find something interesting about ketchup if that is what the job requires.  So, when I was contacted by his management, I thought I would go for the job since I need to pay my electric bill. 

I thought that I would be meeting JR Stone either via phone or email at least but I thought wrong.  Instead, I was given a copy of his latest novel to read that is about to go to print.  In this "interview process" I was to read the novel and tell his management truthfully what I thought about it.  Okay, you get my dilemma.  I'm all about being supportive to other writers but by the same token, I wanted this gig.  I thought it would be interesting to offer my insight regarding this writer that no one seems to know but yet they do. 

So, I picked up "The Long Road to Extradition" and began reading.  I thought the novel was a dark subject yet offered laughter along the way.  It wasn't the least bit predictable.  I cried in several spots and I laughed out loud in others.  My heart ached and I wanted to cheer for Nicholas at the end.  Oops, maybe I gave too much away.  Anyway, I wrote down what I thought and emailed it to his people and I got the job.  Don't get me wrong.  I don't gush over most authors.  But this JR Stone...he's a helluva writer.  He's the kind that when you read his book, you'll be thinking about it days after and hoping that someone makes it into a movie. 

It's like I know Nicholas (the main character) personally.  And, I'm a better person because of it.  So here's to the beginning of the launch of "The Long Road to Extradition."  Just a freelance writer giving my opinions about this author I've never met and the stories he writes. 

JR will write some posts, but he will be busy getting the novel and publicity together with his management for the most part.  In any event, I am here to keep you, the reader abreast of all things JR Stone.  Questions?  drop him a line at AuthorJRStone@AOL.com .  Or better yet, visit him on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AuthorJRStone , Twitter:  @AuthorJRStone

Til Next Time, The Freelance Writer